6/13/13: The Broncos have the look of a contender that is determined to win now. At least that is what the rounds of power rankings are saying. Indeed, the Broncos look strong. Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning. They added Wes Welker to an already impressive group of receivers. Monte Ball adds depth to the backfield, and their secondary is strong. The big question mark is replacing Elvis Dumervil who went to the Ravens in the "Fax You" dilemma. Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips will get their chances at the starting job, as will rookie Quanterus Smith.

6/6/13: Denver has always had a strong running game - that is part of their tradition. Former first round pick Knowshon Moreno is part of that tradition and finished up the season as the starter after Willis McGahee got injured. Moreno, however, was injured in the playoff loss to Baltimore, and is still hurting. His knee has not fully recovered and he missed OTAs. He will be competing for a spot when he returns, as there is still McGahee and Ronnie Hillman, as well as new draftee Monte Ball. If he does not recover, it does look as though the Broncos will be fine at the running back position.

5/30/13: The Broncos made an offer to free agent veteran defensive back Charles Woodson, but Woodson elected to return to Oakland rather than play with the Broncos. Oakland's offer was worth a million dollars more than Denver, so many may say that Woodson chose money over playing for a contender. However, Denver was not forced into a position where they needed his services on the field or as a locker room leader. The team may have like to added his depth and knowledge, but they did not need it. Anyhow, they have a guy named Manning who is the undisputed leader, so they will be OK.

5/23/13: New Bronco Monte Ball has made his way out to Denver for offseason training activities, and may find himself getting more reps than expected. The Broncos have a lot of running backs on the roster, but it is really between three men: Willis McGahee, Knowsean Moreno, and Monte Ball. McGahee has been around for a long time and is not at OTAs. His agent says that he is working out on his own as always and not sending a message by missing the 'voluntary' workouts. Moreno is still injured and not cleared to play. Ball, however, is now getting more time with the offense and coaches, and may be able to use that to get on the field sooner.

5/16/13: They say that team chemistry is important. In the NFL, it is especially important on the offensive line when you need all five players acting as one. The Broncos signed Louis Vasquez in the offseason and he wanted to get around his new Denver teammates as soon as possible. So he stayed with tackle Orlando Franklin for a few weeks. The two had a chance to bond and get to know each other, which they hope translates into success in protecting Peyton Manning. The Broncos are poised for a big year, possibly a Super Bowl, and this may just help.

5/9/13: Since it is the offsesaon and NFL players are wealthy, young, and have time on their hands, it is also the NFL arrest season. But this is a happier story. Broncos' defensive lineman Von Miller is getting into the poultry business. Miller purchased his first chickens - 38 in all. He says he got interested in raising chickens (for food) as part of a class project and now has the resources to start Miller Farms. The fowl are in Dallas because of Denver's weather. Regardless, Miller seems very excited about the venture and may have a career after football.

5/2/13: Denver went with an obvious need in their first round, selecting defensive tackle Sylvester Williams out of North Carolina. The DT spot had to be addressed after the Elvis Dumervil 'Fax You' fiasco left them short in that area. The Broncos made a surprise pick at running back by selecting Monte Ball out of Wisconsin. Alabama's Eddie Lacy was still on the board at the time, and was widely considered the best running back of the draft this year. Lacy kept falling until Green Bay picked him up late in the third round - at a great value.

4/25/13: Everyone wants the Broncos on their broadcast next year. The Broncos will have five prime time games next season, and all the networks want their Denver games to be nationally broadcast. Peyton, Welker, and the rest will face Eli Manning, Robert Griffin III and a few other big names. When you look at the schedule from a past statistical view, then Denver has the easiest schedule (based on 2012 records). However, when the Broncos got their schedule last year, it appeared to be one of the five most difficult. Once the games were played and the records tallied, it came out that Denver had one of the five easiest schedules in the league.

4/18/13: Peyton Manning was seen working out at Duke University last week. But he was not alone. His primary wide receiver corps, including Demaryous Thomas, Eric Decker, and new Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker. Welker, of course, has the wonderful fortune of being able to catch balls from both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in his career. How he will be used is yet to be seen, but he has distinguished himself as the premier slot receiver, which should open up the long ball for Thomas during the season. Expect big things from the Broncos' offense in the 2013 season.

4/11/13: The Broncos are already blessed with a quarterbacking legend and three outstanding wide receivers who can stretch the field, play the slot, and even turn a five yard out pattern in to an 81 yard run and catch. They will have some decisions to make in about 11 months. Wide receiver Eric Decker's contract comes due at the end of the 2013 season and Demaryus Thomas is up the following year. Denver must decide if they can keep one or both. Also, young Greg Orton may surprise and force out one of the veterans with his play and lower salary.

4/4/13: Sometimes it is hard to say goodbye. Broncos main man John Elway understands that, but he also understands that professional football is a business first. Wide receiver Brandon Stokely is a the center of this heart tugging saga. When the Broncos signed Wes Welker, there was really no place left for Stokely. Welker is five years younger and is coming off a 118 catch season. On top of that, Welker has led the league in receptions for the past five years. Certainly he is an upgrade, but Stokely was popular in Denver, and the Broncos fans will surely miss him.

3/28/13: The most curious free agent situation was the case of Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil was due $12 million next season and the team asked him to cut that to $8 million. He did not like the pay cut (who wants to lose a third of their salary), but realized that he would make a lot less if he were cut and had to be a free agent. But his agent did not get the paperwork to the Broncos on time, so Denver had to cut him. Most speculated that he would resign with Denver, but instead Dumervil has signed with a rebuilt Ravens defense. This gives the Ravens Terrell Suggs adn Dumervil as a lethal pass rushing combination.

3/21/13: Denver scored a big coup by signing free agent slot receiver extraordinaire Wes Welker. The Patriots had hoped to keep the league's most productive receiver for the past five years at a reduced rate, but Denver came in with a better offer. However, the Broncos were forced to cut Elvis Dumervil. Elvis agreed to reduce his pay from $12 million to $8 million, but did not get the paperwork into the Broncos on time. He then fired his agent and became a free agent. Maybe the Patriots would sign him just to get some revenge on the Broncos.

3/14/13: Denver landed one of the biggest coups of free agency by signing Wes Welker, one of the top wide receivers available. Welker has played the last several years with the New England Patriots and has led the league in receptions and yards while teamed with Tom Brady. Now Welker will have another future hall of famer throwing to him with Peyton Manning at the helm. The addition of Welker gives the Broncos three strong receiver options along with Demarius Thomas and Eric Decker. The Broncos may also be hunting for another running back like Steven Jackson.

3/7/13: Denver's star pass rusher Von Miller is already guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory next season. He claims it is not out of cockiness, but confidence in the team he has around him. Miller said he was inspired by his six year old cousin who came out of a coma after a car accident in west Texas. He also admits it was tough to watch Baltimore - who beat the Broncos in double overtime in the playoffs - go on to win the Super Bowl instead of the Broncos. Denver has the team to do it next year, and should be considered one of the favorites going into the season.

2/28/13: Denver had the best record in the NFL regular season last year with a 13-3 record. The team does not have too many deficiencies, and Peyton Manning covers up a lot of mistakes. But they, like all teams, do have some holes. Many believe that the team could use an upgrade in the secondary, and that is why they may look seriously at a top end cornerback in the first round. Dee Milner will likely be off the board by the time the Broncos pick, but Xavier Rhodes out of Florida State may be available - and that pick would allow the Broncos to move Champ Bailey to safety.

2/13/14: Denver's challenge this offseason will be to keep the defense together. Not too many years ago, the Broncos' defense was among the worst in the league. They have done a fine job of turning that around and had the fourth best scoring defense in the NFL last season. However, key players Justin Bannan, Kevin Vickerson, Kieth Brooking, and Jim Leonard are set to be free agents in a month. If the Broncos can keep their unit in tact, then they should have no problem repeating as the AFC Champions next season. It also would not hurt to find another running back in case Willis McGahee cannot return to form.

2/7/13: Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning did not win the NFL Most Valuable Player award, losing to Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. He did however, with the league's Comeback Player of the Year. Manning's story has been well documented. He missed the entire 2011 season with a major nerve injury in his neck and underwent several procedures to get back on the field. He then went out and had one of his best seasons ever, leading the Broncos to the best record in the AFC. Given the fact that the team has had a year together, expect more of the same next season.

1/31/13: Peyton Manning is in the middle of a battle for the NFL Most Valuable Player award for the 2012 season. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is considered to be the only other real contender for the league's highest individual award. Both returned to elite playing levels after devastating injuries. Manning, of course, missed all of the 2011 season with neck injuries and many doubted he could play at all. In fact, he returned to have one of his finest seasons while leading the Broncos to the best record in the NFL and the top seed in the AFC playoffs.

1/24/13: The Broncos lost offensive coordinator Mike McCoy this past week. McCoy turned in his resignation to accept the head coaching job with the rival San Diego Chargers. The Chargers were off to a good start until the October 15 Monday Night Game against the Broncos. They went up 24-0 at halftime, and ended up losing - sending the team into a free fall the rest of the season. Many believe that Peyton Manning is his own OC, but give McCoy credit for adapting schemes to fit the quarterback's strengths, and getting into the playoffs in consecutive years.

1/17/13: Hard to believe, but Tim Tebow has more playoff victories for the Broncos than Peyton Manning. The Broncos hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, with most experts and betting lines favoring the home team. Manning uncharacteristically threw two interceptions and also had a fumble, giving the Ravens the edge they needed to upset the AFC's number one seed in an overtime thriller. Manning threw a critical INT in the second overtime, which set up the game winning field goal. The Ravens won 38-35 and will advance to the AFC Championship Game this coming weekend.

1/10/13: The Broncos earned the number one seed in the AFC, and with it, home field throughout the playoffs and a bye in the Wild Card Round. The extra week allowed Peyton Manning and the team to rest and learn their opponent. By defeating the Colts, the Baltimore Ravens punched their ticket to Denver for the Divisional Round. Denver met the Ravens in Baltimore less than a month ago and embarrassed the vaunted Baltimore defense. But that team was without emotional leader, linebacker Ray Lewis, who has returned from a torn triceps for one last playoff run.

1/3/13: The Broncos easily handled the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular season finale, 38-3. Peyton Manning had another 300 yard and 3 touchdown game, and the Broncos defense held the Chiefs to only 49 yards in the air. Manning was out of the game by the fourth quarter, having put his final submission in for his fifth MVP award, which he may share with Adrian Peterson. The win was the 11th in a row and gave the Broncos the number 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Denver will have an extra week to rest up and prepare for their first opponent.

/27/12: Another week, another victory for the Denver Broncos. This time, the Broncos easily took out the Cleveland Browns 34-12. Peyton Manning and the offense started early, building up a 14-3 halftime lead. The defense then went to work, sacking Cleveland quarterbacks six times in the second half, while the offense continued to roll to another 20 points. The win puts Denver in a tie for the No. 1 seed in the AFC with Houston, though Houston owns the tie breaker. One more win at home against Kansas City will at least ensure a first round bye.

12/20/12: The Denver Broncos look to be in perfect synch these days, and they showed it in a convincing 34-17 win at Baltimore. Peyton Manning and his receivers started clicking several weeks ago, and the defense has been stout all year. The difference on Sunday was that the Broncos showcased a strong rushing attack behind Knowshon Moreno. Moreno ran for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Jakob Hester and Ronnie Hillman combined for another 49 yards and a score. The 11-3 Broncos are ready for the playoffs now, and return home to host the Cleveland Brownson Sunday.

12/13/12: The Denver Broncos are one of the few teams that have truly improved throughout the season. That is no accident, as Peyton Manning has gotten healthier and the offense has had more time to gel. Playing in the Thursday game, the Broncos started quickly and built a 10-0 first quarter lead. It was 26-7 by the start of the fourth quarter, when rival Raiders scored 6 garbage points. With only a bye week and homefield advantage left to play for, the Broncos will make the long flight to Baltimore to take on the suddenly struggling Ravens this Sunday.

12/6/12: Stock in the Broncos is surging. Denver won again on Sunday against the visiting Buccaneers 31-23, and Peyton Manning again showed why he was worth the risk. The win secured the AFC West division title for the second straight year, while also ensuring Atlanta the NFC South championship. This is Denver's seventh consecutive win and they are showing that they deserve to be in the discussion of Superbowl contenders. Manning now has 29 touchdowns on the season, tying the franchise record with John Elway and Jake Plummer. The Broncos now visit Oakland in a Thursday night match-up, which can only change their seeding in the playoffs.

11/29/12: The Broncos have clearly shown they are the class of the AFC West. Peyton and the boys struggled against lowly Kansas City, but eventually talent simply won out. Barring a monumental collapse, the Broncos will secure the division soon. They have a four game lead on the Chargers and also own both games this year. Perhaps the biggest opponent is complacency. The team can not afford to get sloppy now because they are still competing for a bye week. Denver has a good test this week when they host the Buccaneers, who have been playing at a very high offensive level for the past several weeks.

11/22/12: The Broncos have emerged as one of the best teams in the NFL. The team has consistently improved throughout the season and now is in complete control of the AFC West. Denver dismissed the Chargers for the second time this season. The Broncos now hold a three game lead with their 7-4 record, and will cruise into the postseason barring a catastrophic collapse. The biggest news is that running back Willis McGahee injured his knee, opening up a chance for Lance Ball, Ronnie Hillman or Knowshon Moreno to emerge as a first string rusher for the stretch run.

11/15/12: Week 10 took the Broncos to visit Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, and the Broncos just keep winning. Denver is improving every week, and the offense is really clicking now, especially since Peyton Manning is rounding into vintage form. The Broncos scored at leas 7 in each quarter in a 36-14 drubbing. Denver is now 6-3. They hold a two game lead over the Chargers at this point, and have the opportunity to effectively clinch the division (barring a monumental collapse) by beating them a second time this season on Sunday. A win would put them three games up and give them the season series.

11/8/12: The Broncos outlasted the Bengals 31-23 last Sunday in very entertaining game. Peyton Manning overcame two interceptions, one in the endzone, with nearly 300 yards passing and 3 touchdown passes to rally Denver to the win. At 5-3, the Broncos sit atop the AFC West and hold a one game lead over the Chargers. The Broncos schedule gets much easier in the second half of the year with seven of eight games against teams at or below 500. The next game is this Sunday at Carolina, where the Panthers are coming off only their second win of the season.

11/1/12: Peyton Manning is really returning to form. While he lacks the arm strength he had prior to the neck surgeries, Manning is smart enough to play the game to his strengths. As a result, the Broncos keep winning and Manning keeps putting up solid numbers - music to the ears of the fantasy geeks who drafted him in the middle rounds. Most recently, he took advantage of Saints non-existent defense to the tune of 305 yards and 3 touchdowns. Denver is now alone in first place at 4-3, and seems in control of the AFC West. Next up is a trip to Cincinnati to face the 3-4 Bengals.

10/18/12: The Peyton Manning Comeback Tour is in full swing with the second half dismantling of division rival San Diego on Monday Night Football. Down 24-0 at the half, Peyton and the Broncos scored 14 in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth. The win put the Broncos at 3-3 on the season, tied with the Chargers in record for the AFC West lead. More importantly, they are up 1-0 in the head-to-head rankings with a rematch later this season. Denver gets a much deserved week off before hosting the New Orleans Saints on the Sunday Night game October 28.

10/1/12 ? It was vintage Peyton Manning in Denver?s 37-6 win against the Oakland Raiders. The four-time MVP finished the game 30 of 38 with 338 yards passing and three touchdowns. Denver had a 10-6 lead to start the third quarter. But Manning and the Broncos scored touchdowns on three of their drives to put the game away. Willis McGahee had 112 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown and Matt Prater was 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts. The Denver defense held Raiders? star running back Darren McFadden to 34 yards on 13 carries. The only points Oakland scored were on two Sebastian Janikowski field goals. Denver improves to 2-2 on the year.

10/4/12: Through the quarterpole, the Broncos stand even par at 2-2. Their losses have been to two of the best teams in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans. Their wins are over Pittsburgh and Oakland, whom they should beat. So they are about as good as expected so far. But the team is improving. Peyton Manning's arm strength is growing, as is his comfort level with his receivers. The good news for Broncos fans is that this team should keep getting better week to week, and has a strong chance to win the AFC West outright by the end of the season.

8/16/12: Though it will not get the media attention of Dwight Howard's graceless and childish forcing out of Orlando (hopefully, thankfully), the Jazz must brace themselves for the final year of contracts for both Al Jefferson and Paul Milsaps. There is strong sentiment that both will bolt Utah at season's end, so naturally there is speculation about trading them in order to get something in return. The catch is Utah is a borderline playoff team, despite a very remote chance of winning the championship. So the Jazz must decide on whether or not to trade, and when to do so. Basically, should they tank the season or not?

8/10/12 ? In the most anticipated NFL preseason in recent memory, Peyton Manning made his debut in a Denver Broncos uniform. After spending his entire 13-year career with the Indianapolis Colts, the four-time MVP was acquired by the Denver Broncos this offseason. Manning played one series against the Chicago Bears. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 44 yards with one interception. He completed passes to Eric Decker and Jacob Tamme. Manning's only blemish came when Chicago safety, Major Wright, picked off a pass that was deflected by Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokely. The four-time MVP moved the Broncos on the opening drive from their own 38-yard line to the Bears' 12. He was in command and Broncos coach John Fox was impressed. 'He was remarkable. He came back.. he's worked very hard, ' said Fox

8/2/12: With Peyton Manning now in Blue and Orange, there is a lot of media at the Broncos training camp. The crowd seems to already have forgotten Tim Tebow, and is already performing "Peyton Manning" cheers. For his part, Manning has looked very strong and is still gaining velocity on his throws. He is developing a rapport with wide receiver Damaryius Thomas, who caught the overtime touchdown against the Steelers in the playoffs last year. Thomas is picking up the slack with Eric Decker out for a few days, and is quickly earning Manning's trust as the featured receiver.

7/26/12: With the Colts, Peyton Manning always had a way of keying in to some unknown receiver and make him a start by the end of the year. It was good for the Colts and fantasy geeks alike. Don't expect anything different now that Manning is in Denver - especially since questions about his arm strength persist and he will likely throw a lot of short and intermediate passes this year. Manning is spending extra hours with Eric Decker these days, and that may be the relatively unknown WR who lights up the fantasy leagues like Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon did in the past.

The Peyton Manning Era officially began in Denver on Thursday as the Broncos opened their training camp to thousands of spectators hoping to catch of glimpse of the Broncos new quarterback in his first real action in orange and blue. After spending the first 14 years of his illustrious career in Indianapolis, it was strange to see Manning donning new colors on a football field, but Peyton looked right at home. There is going to be a fairly large amount of pressure on Peyton to perform in his first season in Denver, and Broncos fans are expecting quite a bit more out of him at the quarterback position than they did from Tim Tebow last season.

Many who have watched Peyton Manning so far this offseason have said he looks as if he is returning to form. Manning has been working on rebuilding his arm strength after the neck surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2011 season. Many reports have come out of Denver that the arm strength is on its way to what it was pre-surgery. Along with regaining the strength, Manning is also working on developing timing with his new receivers. The Broncos have signed former Manning favorites Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme to help with that transition.

5/23/12: John Elway will always be the Ultimate Denver Bronco - leading the team to five Superbowl appearances and winning two, not to mention the litany of records written and rewritten under his watch and the numerous improbable comebacks. But Elway did have to throw to someone in his heyday. Fans should remember his targets in his later years: 'Easy' Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of tiny Missour Southern in 1994, making only the practice squad. But 849 catches, over 11,000 yards, and almost every Bronco receiveing record later, Denver will honor Smith in their Ring of Fame in September.

5/16/12: Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy was widely praised last year for restructuring his offense mid-season to suit Tim Tebow's strength as an option quarterback. Six months later, he is re-restructuring to accommodate Peyton Manning. In short, if Manning is comfortable with a particular play, then it goes in the playbook. Broncos fans can expect to see an offense similar to the one Manning ran for the Colts for over a decade - constant audibles, multiple progressions, and (hopefully) plenty of touchdowns. Some may argue that Peyton doesn't need an OC, but since the guy is there already and has access to the copier, Peyton can at least have him take notes.

5/11/12: The Denver Broncos parted ways with GM Brian Xanders this week, essentially confirming that President John Elway and head coach John Fox are the primary authorities. Elway announced that the GM position will not be replaced, lending credibility to these suspicions. Xanders joined the Broncos in 2008 as an assistant general manager during Mike Shanahan's reign. He was promoted to General Manager, at least in title, when Josh McDaniels was named head coach in 2009 - though he never had the final say on personnel decisions. Under Xanders, the Broncos drafted both popular stars Tim Tebow and Von Miller.

5/3/12: Second year GM John Elway continues to put his mark on the team. Denver was very active in the NFL draft, first trading down in the first round with New England for a 1st and 4th rounder, then trading that 1st rounder to Tampa for 2nd and 4th round picks. The Broncos selected defensive tackle Derek Wolfe from Cincinnati and quarterback Brock Osweiler from Arizona State in the second round. Elway is eyeing the future, hoping the 6'7 QB will have a few years to learn from Peyton Manning before taking the reins and transition into a top-tier quarterback.

4/25/12: A busy news week in Denver this week. First, safety Brian Dawkins retired after 16 years. Dawkins was named an All-Pro an astonishing 9 times between years on the Eagles and Broncos. His season ended prematurely last year with a serious neck injury. He claims that he is a 'complete peace'. Denver was very active in the first round. First,they traded the #25 pick to New England for the #31 and #126 (fourth round). The team then traded out of the first round, sending the #31 and #126 picks to Tampa for picks #36 (second round) and #101 (fourth round).

4/15/12: Erik Decker has been working out with Payton Manning, and claims that Manning is back to the Manning of old, and predicts Broncos and Giants in the Super Bowl. It is usually not wise to predict February success before the season ("Dream Team" anyone?). However, that makes it more fun for the rest of us when early boasters fail. Surely the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs fans will catch wind of Decker's prognostication. And surely they will take extra pleasure in every Denver loss in the coming season - much like the NFC East took extra joy as the losses mounted in Philadelphia this past season.

Very few NFL teams have been as consistently good as the Broncos, who have put up 24 winning seasons since 1973, including six trips to the Super Bowl and two Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998. In a recent Sports Illustrated Poll, Broncos fans were rated the third best in the NFL. They play in beautiful Invesco Field at Mile High. Get Broncos tickets here so you don't miss one of the best experiences in the NFL.

Denver Broncos

As of now, there is a battle for starting quarterback between Kyle Orton (who still may be traded) and Tim Tebow. Brady Quinn isn't even in the conversation.. In college he was a star. In the NFL he has shown improvement but is still questioned to have the skill set and the refined ability to play as a pocket passer. The Broncos have a good WR core in Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal. Knowshon Moreno has received most of the carries and have been shifty on the field. The signing of Willis McGahee will take some of the pressure off Moreno. The defense is a mess and shows no promise for future seasons. The Broncos need to bounce back. John Elway is doing his best to make the Broncos Super Bowl contenders.

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